The Diploma Programme (DP), from Year 11 (16 years of age) to Year 12 (19 years of age), provides a rigorous academic pathway where students become caring individuals actively engaged in their learning ready for post-secondary education and life.
What is the Diploma Programme (DP)?
The Diploma Programme (DP) provides a challenging, internationally focused, broad and balanced educational experience for students aged 16 to 19. It is a rigorous pre-university course of study for a broad-based two-year course that aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate.
Students are required to study six subjects from different disciplines and focus on the curriculum core. The programme is designed to prepare students with the academic skills needed for university study, and further education in their selected profession in addition to developing the values and skills needed to be lifelong learners.
Outside of the Core, there are six grouped areas of academic study:
Group 1
Language A: English, Language and Literature, Literature (self-taught)
Group 2
Language B: Chinese, French, and Spanish Ab Initio
Group 3
Individuals and Societies: Business Management, Economics, Global Politics, and History
Group 4
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Sports, Exercise & Health Science
Group 5
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches; Applications and Interpretation
Group 6
The Arts: Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Students must select one subject from each of the groups, or instead of taking a Group 6 subject, students can take an extra subject from either Group 3 or Group 4. At ISS, some students also choose to do Self-taught Language A Literature instead of a second language. Whilst this is possible, students have to be fluent in their language of study.
Students will study each of the subjects at either a Higher Level or Standard Level (3 subjects must be taken at Higher Level). Each subject is graded from 1-7, with 7 being the highest level of achievement. The maximum score for a Diploma is 45 (6 x 7 and 3 for the Core subjects). There are varying ways to achieve a Diploma, but for the most part, a minimum score of 24 will see a student be awarded a Diploma. Failure to complete any of the Core components will mean a student will not receive a Diploma. A Bilingual Diploma is awarded when a candidate successfully completes two Language A courses with the award of a grade 3 or higher in both.
In each academic area, students have flexibility in making choices, which allows them to choose subjects that particularly interest them and that they may continue to study in university.
IB DP Certificates
Certificate Candidates are students who choose to pursue individual IB subjects rather than the full diploma. This pathway allows students to focus on their strengths and interests by selecting specific subjects, either at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), without the additional core requirements of the full diploma. Successful completion of individual courses leads to the award of an IB Certificate in each subject, which can be recognized by universities and employers worldwide.
IBDP Approaches to Learning
In order for students to become “self-regulated learners” the IB DP incorporates Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills through all teaching and learning experiences. These include:
Metacognition: Being aware of and understanding ones way of learning and processing information.
Reflection: (re)considering the process of learning
Higher order thinking: Analysis, synthesis and evaluating issues and ideas
Data Gathering and Interpretation: Collecting, analysing, and presenting data to support research findings
Information Literacy: Finding, evaluating, and using information effectively and ethically.
Media Literacy: Understanding and analysing media messages and their influence.
Skill Development: In both verbal and non verbal communication to help form and maintain good interpersonal relationships with others.
Social Skills: Help improve social self-efficacy, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Collaboration: Working effectively with others towards a common goal, respecting different perspectives.
Social and emotional: Building positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and understanding social dynamics.
Organisation: managing time and tasks effectively
States of mind: mindfulness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation, resilience
IBDP Core
The IB Diploma Programme is an excellent curriculum for students of a wide range of abilities and backgrounds. All Diploma Programme students participate in three course elements that make up the Core of the IB Diploma Programme which aims to ‘broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding in real-life contexts.’3 They include the studies of:
Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
The ToK course provides students with an opportunity to explore and reflect on the nature of knowledge and the process of knowing. In ToK, students reflect on the knowledge, beliefs and opinions that they have built up from their years of academic studies and their lives outside the classroom. Tok encourages students to become more aware of their own perspectives and the perspectives of others.
Creativity, Activity, & Service (CAS)
CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies which will involve them in activities and programmes in three strands, including Arts and other experiences which enable them to think creatively, physical activities, leading to a healthier lifestyle and service activities, which in voluntary work, helping those in a wider community in need.
Extended Essay
The Extended Essay offers the opportunity to conduct independent investigation in an area of interest, encompassing research and writing skills of a 4000 word academic essay.
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